Realist Theory #4

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  • Created by: Mui
  • Created on: 10-04-13 19:22

Right Realists

Believe labelling theory is sympathetic towards the criminal and hostile towards law enforcers

Believe crime can be reduced with punishment

Economic situation cannot be blamed as old people tend to be poor but dont commit crime

- BIOLOGICAL Differences - some people are more likely to commit crime due to inherent characteristics e.g. aggressiveness 

-UNDERCLASS - Murray says nuclear family is undermined by the welfare state hence inadequately socialised offspring - e.g. welfare can now support lone parent families... also lack of father figure means children turn to delinquent gangs to gain status

-RATIONAL Choice Theory - Clarke believes crime is based on rational calculation of consequences e.g. low rique but high reward

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Right Realism Solutions

Underlying causes of crimes are biological, so a heavy punishment is more suitable

Zero tolerance policy and reducing rewards of crime

CRITICISMS - it ignores poverty and it ignores white collar crime

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Left Realists

Root of crime is capatalism so gradual reforms must be made

Although LRs roots are from Marxism it believes Marxism neglects working class crime by putting excessive enthesis on elitist crime

Victims of crime tend to be working class/ethnic minorities/women and taken lighty by police

Due to the massive increase in crime it cannot merely be put down to labelling etc.

RELATIVE DEPRAVATION - people may resort to crime for things they believe they are entitled to (note: working class still recieve advertisements from nike etc.)

SUBCULTURE - share same aspirations and goals but achieve it through illegitimate means e.g. drug dealing due to relative depravation 

MARGNILISATION - unemployed youths are marginalised resorting to riots e.g. London 2012

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Left Realists

Root of crime is capatalism so gradual reforms must be made

Although LRs roots are from Marxism it believes Marxism neglects working class crime by putting excessive enthesis on elitist crime

Victims of crime tend to be working class/ethnic minorities/women and taken lighty by police

Due to the massive increase in crime it cannot merely be put down to labelling etc.

RELATIVE DEPRAVATION - people may resort to crime for things they believe they are entitled to (note: working class still recieve advertisements from nike etc.)

SUBCULTURE - share same aspirations and goals but achieve it through illegitimate means e.g. drug dealing due to relative depravation 

MARGNILISATION - unemployed youths are marginalised resorting to riots e.g. London 2012

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Left Realism Solutions

Working class crime has been amplified due to increased unemployment and less generous welfare

Police must try to win public support and become more accountable rather than military policing 

ALSO by reducing inequality crime will naturally go down

CRITICISMS - Marxists believe it fails to explain corporate crime and not every relatively deprived individual resorts to crime, 

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